It’s no secret that Loverboy lives for Mariah Carey and Francois Sagat. But those two goddesses might now need to make way for our new #1 crush Matthew Risch. Devilishly handsome, appearing in some of our favourite shows like Looking and Modern Family* and judging by Instagram a wardrobe after our own hearts – Basic Instinct, Tina and Miss Patti tees?! Seriously?!
We were so excited to pin him down and discuss the criticism Modern Family & Looking have received, how Transparent seems to have escaped that and how coming out publicly, despite his agent’s advice, was never an option.

Hey Matthew, you seem to have got some pretty big shows on your CV straight away. How did you find it starting out?
I had to look up what CV meant! I feel a bit lucky. I had self-taped for LOOKING while I was still in NYC, about a week away from moving to LA but getting on that show was…a process.  Fairly soon thereafter I booked Switched At Birth which so fun. From cast to creatives to crew it was such a great group to be around and who doesn’t love playing a villain? Modern Family was a dream because I’ve known Jeff Greenberg (casting) ever since I tested for a show he was doing back in ’05 and I’ve known Jesse (Tyler-Ferguson) since we were both on Broadway around the same time. They’re both two of the smartest people in the biz and it’s an honor to work with them. That show is also such a blast to keep coming back to.

I totally loved Test. I think it demonstrates the way the gay community were condemned by society, much more extremely than a lot of other shows/films. How was it playing that out?
I’m so happy you liked it. It was exciting. It’s always fun doing a ‘period’ piece. Especially one with LGBT characters. I’ve always been fascinated with queer culture and history. I studied it in college so it was fun to go back and crack open those books and dive in while also talking at length with some older people in the community about what it was like to be a gay man in the early eighties. But the beauty of Chris’ script was what really drew me in. I thought it was so poetic. So visual, so specific IN it’s visual which is something you don’t see a lot of in movies, at least in the states. And to talk about something so indirectly, so psychologically…you really felt like you were in the lead character’s skin watching the world quietly fall apart around him. But then to end with hope, I thought was so perfect and beautiful.

Is dancing something you want to pursue or are you more focused on the acting?
Ha. Well I’m getting a bit ‘up there’ to keep hoofin’. But dance has always been a part of who I am and how I express myself. It wasn’t until I went to performing arts high school that I really developed a passion for acting. I think that’s when I knew that was always gonna be Number 1 for me. The passion to sing always came last for me. I wasn’t born a natural singer; it took me many years and a lot of work to get there and I’m proud of that,  but I was never a ‘natural.’ It’s hard today when the world is all American Idolized and poppy and I’m over here with a more classically trained bass/baritone. People just don’t write material for those voices anymore which is too bad.

It must be very tempting to pursue roles solely because they interest you, but do you ever take roles on to diversify your CV regardless of your personal interest?
Oh sure. I think all good actors look for that role that’s gonna be a complete 180 from what they just did. That’s the fun. The difficult part is convincing casting directors you can do it. They just know you from your last gig and they think that’s all you can do. Even the really big casting directors. It’s shocking, really. I’m always surprised how much I get shoeboxed in this business. I think it’s too much work for them to think of you as anything else. I pride myself on my diversification – I went from playing a forty-something republican senator to a completely fey diva. I think some people just look at that and go ‘Uuhhhhhh we don’t know what to do with you.’ But I love keeping people guessing and I hope I can continue to do that.

You’ve appeared in two of my favourite shows, Looking and Modern Family. But both have been heavily criticised by the LGBT family for showing lack of diversity or stereotyping. Personally I think all the characters in Modern Family are exaggerated so there is no problem. Plus I can identify with both Mitch and Cam. And with Looking I can see that perhaps it wasn’t diverse enough but I don’t think it deserved the harsh criticism it got. What are your thoughts on the way both shows deal with LGBT characters?
It’s a tricky area. On one hand we should be fully visible at this point in terms of diversity: black, asian, spanish, trans, bi, gay, lesbian, gender fluid, the list goes on. Personally, I am so thrilled that these shows are even being aired, but there’s a very angry, impatient side of me that’s like ‘Come on! Look what’s happening around you!! ALL these stories NEED to be told. More more more!’ It’s very infuriating. We live in a world where certain groups of people don’t have access to hold the power they so rightfully deserve. Look at women in Hollywood, look at people of colour in Hollywood. I can’t imagine what it must be like for a young woman of color in this day and age to be making it as a creative in Hollywood. And that’s infuriating. But there’s a shift happening and thank God. I just hope it speeds up sooner rather than later. I love what Modern Family has done. You can’t tell me there isn’t one person/family out there that hasn’t had their LGBT perspective changed by that show. And honestly if it can change just one, then they have done their job in my eyes.

How do you feel about the way in which they are received by the LGBT community? Have you had much feedback?
Oh sure. It’s usually an even split from what I hear. Half are pissed, half love it and I always say, ‘I really only ever want to be a part of something that is controversial, otherwise it’s too easy.’ It allows people to talk about why something upsets them, their dislikes and what could be made better, and then why some people love it and get inspired by it. It gets people thinking which is the most important thing and I’ve always wanted to write/be a part of things that do just that.

I love Transparent but it seems to escape criticism about diversity even though I think there is a lack of it here too. Do you feel double standards apply?
Great question. I’ve never thought of that before. Transparent is such a phenomenal show from the casting to the writing to the direction. And to have a trans woman as the central character is great timing for our country just beginning to crack the door-and I mean CRACK the door – on trans-acceptance. It’s tricky because here you have this Jewish, white, rich, spoiled LA family as the central characters…and that, in a sense, is the POINT of the show; their dynamic, how they behave and all the ugliness that comes with that. A lot of the time they’re all horrible people in their own way; their faults – and it’s fantastic to watch – because that’s life. People have faults.

What are your thoughts on having straight actors play gay roles?
Ugh. I flip flop on this issue. It used to really piss me off. But really if they’re good…they’re good. But honestly only when an out gay actor wins an Oscar for playing a straight character will I be truly satisfied.

Have you experienced any issues when going for castings regarding your sexuality?
Never overtly. I’m 100% convinced I haven’t been seen for things because I’m gay. I tell people this and they’re shocked. ‘Homophobia? STILL?!’ They think I’m wrong, and maybe I am, but I’ve had managers suggest I stay in the closet, not talk about it, etc…but being on the wrong side of history has never been an option for me. Not being myself has never been an option. And actively trying to help other LGBT youth in any way I can, by being out and proud in doing what I do and hopefully opening the door for just one of them to think ‘Wow, there’s a gay guy succeeding at what he wants to do in life. So can I!’ is the best thing I could ever accomplish.

Which role do you feel has been most important to you so far?
Hmm. I’d have to say Joey Evans in Pal Joey on Broadway. I learned more in regards to art, criticism and artistic integrity starring in that show than I may ever get a chance to learn again.

What’s coming up for you next?
I’ve actually been collaborating with Chris Mason Johnson (the writer/director of TEST) on a new project. We’ve been working on it for about a year and a half now and my dear friend Rightor Doyle is co-writing with me. It’s a drama. That’s all I’ll say, otherwise I might get in trouble. But it really addresses some issues within the LGBT community and actually society as a whole that still deeply unsettles me. We’re hoping to start shooting in the fall/winter.

Last Loverboy is named after the iconic(!) Mariah Carey song so we ask everyone this. What is your favourite Mariah Carey song or moment?

Follow Matthew on Instagram and Twitter.

*Yes, we appreciate they have flaws, but so does Beyonce. We love them Flaws and All.